38/44 King 'Super Target'

[DHENRY]

This 38/44 Outdoorsman's Revolver left S&W on July 20th, 1937...it went to the D. W. King Sight Co.
Modified by King to fill a special order, it features the King ventilated and top-grooved rib, with an integral reflector base for the Sheard red-bead front sight.
Rear sight is a King deep-'U' notch with the white outline.
A trigger-stop (similar to the later S&W model) was also installed.
The original magnas, numbered to the gun, had a relief cut into the horn area.
In 1969 this gun went back to Smith & Wesson for a magnificent refinish.
A really neat old gun, from the days when target shooters had companies like King make their guns 'individualized'.
Don

 

[JayCeeNC]

What a grand old shooter!
That gun is a fine example of what "gunsmithing" was once all about.

 

[hsguy]

Don, great looking gun! Is that the one from the SWCA meeting? If so I am glad you bought it and removed temptation, I looked at it a couple of times but you saved my wallet! Very interesting and good looking piece. John

 

[GLL]

Don:

BEAUTIFUL !

It is the classic target revolver ! I would love to shoot that one !

Great photo !

Jerry

 

[RKmesa]

Don:

Beautiful revolver. I had a chance to buy a King Super Target modified OD for a very reasonable price. At the time I did not know much about the King Sight Co and every time I see a Super Target, I kick myself regularly for not scooping it up, because it had been "modified" and was not "original".

Oh well, at least I can enjoy the photos of others... Thanks for posting.

 

[29aholic]

Now that is cool. I am not sure I'd have gone with the rib myself, but cool nontheless.

 

[DCWilson]

Until this moment I did not even know that such a gun existed. Now I have the serious hungries for one. Time to get out the wish list and re-prioritize.

David W.

 

[Nightowl]

Is that a 6" or a 6 1/2" barrel?

 

[Jebus35745]

That is a totally awsome gun Don. Too bad I missed the annual meeting. Guess fathers day was more important. It was so close too. Larry

 

[j38]

Neat gun, Don! From the photo it looks like the stocks were modified also ...yes ?

Thanks for the post,

Jerry

 

[DHENRY]

She's a 6-1/2", and the relief on the l.h. grip is mighty comfortable, if a bit sad .
Don

 

[GLL]

Don:

Could you please show us a close-up photo of the barrel and ejector rod ?

Jerry

 

[Troystat]

That is one really neat revolver. Looks like it would be great fun to shoot.

Thanks for the post

Troy

 

[Dan M]

Hi Don,

Thats a beauty for sure. I for one love the old Kings Super Target ribs, I really like those reflector sights in front? Absolutely the perfect Target Pistol.

thanks for sharing

Dan

 

[DHENRY]

OK, Jerry...
Here you go, barrel and ejector rod, plus front sight.
You can see (obviously) that when S&W re-did the gun in the 60's, they replaced the original ejector rod with a more contemporary model.
The barrel is, I'm sure, a replacement, but I note that while it has the later, 'post-transitional' ejector-rod lug (w/out the cutout), it's also a non-ribbed barrel.
My guess is that it's a 6-1/2" postwar HD barrel.
Somebody, sometime, spent an awful lot of time and money on this gun.
Go figure.
Took it to the range today, and it's so good it's scary!
Don

 

[mtb1bkr]

I have a set of K Square grips that are modified like yours. Not quite as nicely done, but the same style. They are in the garage right now being refinished as they were without finish when I got them.

Bill

 

[GLL]

Don:

Thank you very much for the extra photo !

I am VERY envious ! They did a great job of putting that package together !
Was the serial number restamped on the barrel?

I would love to have that one myself ! Enjoy !

Best Regards,

Jerry

 

[1Aspenhill]

Don,
Nice gun-a real beauty! Thanks for sharing!
Bill

 

[Gatorbaiter]

Here's another King Super Target, this one is a K frame Hand Ejector in 32-20:

 

[DCWilson]

You guys have got to stop posting pictures of these revolvers! Neither my heart nor my budget can stand the stress, which in this case is just another word for envy.

David W.